RFID SYSTEMS FOR VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS

• US 20070139185A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Maue, H., Nathan, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,916,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/538
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01197 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01512 Passenger detection systems

Abstract

An indication system (10) for a vehicle (11) includes a radio frequency circuit (12) with a transponder (84) and an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The transponder (84) transmits a status request signal. A first radio frequency identification tag (84) is coupled to the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The tag (84) inductively generates a current status signal associated with the in-vehicle element (18) and in response to the status request signal. A method of tracking, identifying, and determining the presence and status of an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18) includes transmitting a status request signal. The status request signal is inductively received via multiple radio frequency identification tags (84, 86) that are associated with the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). A current status signal is transmitted from the radio frequency identification tags (84, 86). An in-vehicle task is performed in response to the current status signal.

Claims

1. An indication system for a vehicle comprising:

a first radio frequency circuit comprising;

a transponder transmitting a status request signal;

at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element; and

a first radio frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and inductively generating a first status signal associated with said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and in response to said status request signal.

2. An indication system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element comprises at least one of a door, a window, a seat, a hood, a trunk lid, a countermeasure device, a level switch, a limit switch, and an illumination device.

3. An indication system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element comprises at least one seat system having an associated seat belt tongue and seat belt buckle.

4. An indication system as in claim 3 wherein said first radio frequency identification tag in generating said first status signal indicates whether said seat belt tongue is latched within said seat belt buckle.

5. An indication system as in claim 1 comprising a second radio frequency circuit comprising a second radio frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one element and inductively generating a second status signal.

6. An indication system as in claim 5 wherein said first radio frequency circuit is inactive and said second radio frequency identification tag is active when said seat belt tongue is latched within said seat belt buckle.

7. An indication system as in claim 5 wherein said second radio frequency identification tag comprises said first transponder.

8. An indication system as in claim 5 wherein said second radio frequency identification tag generates said second status signal delayed in time from generation of said first status signal.

9. An indication system as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of radio frequency identification circuits comprising said first radio frequency circuit.

10. An indication system as in claim 9 further comprising at least one delay circuit preventing simultaneous generation of status signals from said plurality of radio frequency identification circuits.

11. An indication system as in claim 9 further comprising at least one delay circuit sequentially timing status signals generated from said plurality of radio frequency identification circuits.

12. An indication system as in claim 9 wherein said plurality of radio frequency identification circuits comprises a plurality of seat status circuits.

13. An indication system as in claim 12 wherein said plurality of seat status circuits generate status signals associated with at least one of:

the presence of a seat system, the presence of an occupant in a seat system, the position of a seat system, the orientation of a seat system, the latching of a seat belt, and the status of a countermeasure device.

14. An indication system as in claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with said first radio frequency identification tag and generating an error signal in response to said first status signal.

15. An indication system for a vehicle comprising:

a transponder transmitting a status request signal;

at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element;

a first radio frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and inductively generating a first status signal associated with said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and in response to said status request signal; and

a second radio frequency identification tag coupled to said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and inductively generating a second status signal associated with said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element and in response to said status request signal.

16. An indication system as in claim 15 wherein at least one of said first radio frequency identification tag and said second radio frequency identification tag generating and transmitting an identification signal when said at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element is latched.

17. An indication system as in claim 15 comprising a plurality of radio frequency identification tags having an active identification tag and an inactive identification tag.

18. A method of tracking, identifying, and determining the presence and status of at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element comprising:

transmitting at least one status request signal;

inductively receiving said status request signal via a plurality of radio frequency identification tags associated with at least one in-vehicle RF tagged element;

transmitting at least one current status signal from said plurality of radio frequency identification tags; and

performing an in-vehicle task in response to said at least one current status signal.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein transmitting at least one current status signal comprises transmitting a plurality of current status signals sequentially and in a delayed format.

20. A method as in claim 18 wherein transmitting at least one current status signal comprises transmitting a plurality of current status signals simultaneously on a plurality of frequencies.